At SurfData, simulation is how we produce our forecasts. We combine atmospheric and ocean model data with a physics-based nearshore wave simulation to calculate how conditions develop at a specific surf spot. By modelling the physical journey of waves rather than only assigning probabilities to possible outcomes, simulation gives a more accurate local forecast than probabilistic forecasting alone.
From models to the beach
- Large-scale weather and wave data provide the starting conditions.
- The nearshore model accounts for how waves change as they travel toward the coast.
- Spot-specific geometry and orientation help translate the result into a local forecast.